Shin Haraguchi Record: 8-1-0

Statement wins and the Road to UFC

Haraguchi's breakout came in February 2023, when he knocked out the vastly experienced Naoyuki Kotani – a 37-fight veteran – in the first round at a Grachan and Brave Fight co-promotion, a result that signaled his power could carry against any level of opposition. That performance propelled him into the UFC's Road to UFC tournament, where he made an immediate impact. In May 2023 he stopped previously unbeaten Windri Patilima by second-round ground-and-pound, then advanced in August 2023 with a decision over Jae Hyun Park after a bout with Bahatebole Batebolati fell through.

Road to UFC final and recovery

Haraguchi's tournament run reached its peak in February 2024, when he met Rongzhu – a 24-win contender – in the Road to UFC bracket. Rongzhu submitted him by third-round rear-naked choke, handing Haraguchi the only loss of his professional career. He answered immediately, returning in May 2024 to take a decision over the seasoned Jun Young Hong and move his record to 8–1, keeping his prospect status firmly intact.

Fighting style

Haraguchi is a wrestler-puncher in the truest sense. His freestyle wrestling base gives him the entries to dictate where fights happen, and from top position his ground-and-pound has produced several of his five knockouts – a finishing tally that, against a single submission loss, defines his profile. His 63% finish rate reflects a fighter who hunts the stoppage rather than the scorecards, and the knockout of a veteran like Kotani showed his power translates against experienced opposition. His one clear vulnerability, exposed by Rongzhu, is the submission game when a fight goes long against an elite grappler. As an undersized, high-pace finisher, Haraguchi profiles as a fighter still trending upward.

Career highlights

• Road to UFC finalist — ran through Windri Patilima and Jae Hyun Park to reach the tournament's final stage.
• Veteran-toppling knockout — stopped 37-fight veteran Naoyuki Kotani in the first round, proving his power against high-level opposition.
• Decorated wrestling base — an Emperor's Cup winner and Asian Championship national-team member, the foundation behind his takedown-and-ground-and-pound game.